Front Axle Seal

I have a 2020 Tacoma OR double cab. I do not use it as a daily driver, so it only has about 12,000 miles on it. I noticed some oily drip and took off the skid and found a leak from the area of the CV/diff. I have a trip coming up so I just took it to a shop down the street and they said the driver side axle seal needs to be replaced and is leaking. I am curious why with only 12,000 miles it would have developed this issue with no other warning or issues? Anyone have a similar experience or recommendations of other things I need to watch now. Thanks for any help!

 

Things happen.
There could be a few reasons.

A bad seal from the factory. (most likely)
A bad CV axle - out of round or balance - (not likely)
The front diff vent is plugged, and caused the seal to blow out. - (more likely)

I'd toss a new seal in it, and then pull the vent off and blow through it to make sure it was not plugged.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! I am hoping it isn’t anything major and I will for sure check the vent. Glad I caught it before any real damage was done, I hope.

 

any modifications (ie lift)? Was someone else working in that area?

 

Yes, a small lift but that was put on 3+ years ago with no issues. No recent work on the truck except changing out the wheels

 

Isn't that the area people replace the needle bearing with the bushing from ECGS? If the seal is leaking possibly doing that at the same time. If I recall lifts create the problem with the needle bearing?

 

Get a second opinion

 

That is the same side.
However, I suggest NOT replacing the needle bearing unless you have symptoms of the bearing failure.
I don't recommend replacing parts unless they need replaced.

On occasion, the bearing breaks on removal. If the needles or pieces of the cage fall into the differential, you just made things worse.

The symptoms are vibrations at about 35 mph that will go away if you put the truck in 4WD.